Gymnastics | 4/1/2026 5:14:00 PM
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (April 1, 2026) - After capturing their 14th Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC) team title, the Pioneers added two more national champions Sunday. Caroline Bowns and Kylie Minard each secured their first individual national titles, winning the uneven bars and floor exercise, respectively.
Texas Woman's closed out the 2026 season at the WCGNIC Individual Event Finals with eight competitors representing the Pioneers.
The meet began on vault, where Sophia Isbell led TWU with a 9.7625 to place fourth. Sophomore Alaina Reid followed closely with a 9.700, while Maddy Murphy posted a 9.5625 to round out the Pioneers' performances on the event.
Reid was the lone Pioneer to compete on balance beam, finishing tied for fifth with a score of 9.7625 to conclude her sophomore campaign.
On uneven bars, Bowns captured the national title with a 9.775, sharing the honor in a three-way tie with SEMO's Taylor Ingle and Bridgeport's Nicole Pujals. Brooke Ferrari added a sixth-place finish with a 9.7375, and Jordan Loock scored a 9.6250.
"Going into individual finals after winning the team championship was absolutely amazing," Bowns said. "I was already a national champion, but I knew I could also claim the bars title for TWU. I went in focused on what my teammate Kami says to me before every routine: 'It's not about perfection, it's a fight for what you want.' That's what the result reflected — it wasn't perfect, but it was all heart, and it was enough to secure the win. I'm honored to have tied with two other outstanding bar workers for the title."
Minard closed the meet on floor with a standout performance, earning a career-high 9.950 to claim the national title. Isbell finished runner-up with a 9.875, while Bailey Bourgeois posted a 9.7875.
"Being honored with this title fills me with joy and gratitude," Minard said. "I couldn't have done this without my coaches or my teammates. From the moment I stepped onto campus, they have had my back. They helped me see my potential and showed me how fun it is to compete. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent a program full of love, joy and fire."
TWU Gymnastics totaled 16 WCGNIC All-America honors across the four events.
"To also walk away with two individual event titles and multiple medalists was just the icing on the cake," head coach Lisa Bowerman said. "I could not be more proud of each of the eight student-athletes who competed in the individual event finals. Competing three days in a row is no easy task, and they represented our team exceptionally well."
A full list of All-America honorees is available here.
-PIONEERS-
